Monday, June 25, 2012

1. What was your favorite childhood toy? Must have been the baby doll I got when I was 8 years old since I still have it.....I always enjoyed playing house and taking care of my babies but I loved to fish and hike in the woods with my 2 young uncles and my sister. We were inseparable for many years.

2. Where did you go this weekend? I didn't go anywhere....Honey Bear worked Saturday night so we just stayed home yesterday and rested up.

3. When was the last time you shopped for yourself? What did you buy? Does mail order count? I just placed a book order on Amazon....and I bought new earphones last Friday for myself. I had broken the piece off my other pair which goes around the ear, I was holding it on with a rubber band which wasn't very comfortable.

4. Paper, Plastic or Reusable? Reusable whenever possible.....I use plastic to hold scooped litter so I do occasionally need those.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

Good Morning,
I've put everyone's name in a drawing and Honey Bear pulled out 48. I left a message on her blog post, couldn't email, and I'll give it 2 weeks. If she hasn't contacted me by then, we'll draw another name. I know that I don't get 100 messages or anywhere near 50 so I'm guessing either everyone who is signed up to follow, doesn't leave comments are they are not visiting often. So, thanks to you faithful followers and your comments.
I'm still at the sewing machine quilting....the house is not so clean and tidy......
Mama Bear

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

1. Summer officially rolls in with the Hodgepodge this week, for those of us in the Northern hemisphere anyway. What song says summer 2012 to you? That 2012 doesn't bring anything to mind........Lots of songs come to mind, though....anyone remember Summer Place?

3. I've spent a lot of time traipsing up and down the NJ Turnpike in recent weeks. Did you know the rest areas on the turnpike are named after people who lived or worked in NJ? Clara Barton, Walt Whitman, James Fenimore Cooper, Molly Pitcher, Joyce Kilmer, Thomas Edison, and Gover Clevland just to name a few. Of those I listed, who would you most like to have known and why? Joyce Kilmer, I've loved the poem, Trees, since I first heard it as a child when my sister had to memorize it in school.

4. At what age did you move out of your parent's house and what prompted the move? Age 17, when I married Honey Bear

5. What's more satisfying to you-saving time or saving money? It's a toss up, I suppose...it certainly is satisfying to have a little nest egg saved and I like to see a certain balance in my bank accounts.....however, I'm always looking for ways to be more organized and efficient.

6. Name something you think brings out the good in people. How they react in a crisis...such as after 9/11....after the tornadoes which destroyed so many homes in North Alabama last April, so many people reached out to help their neighbors.

7. This last question comes to you courtesy of Kathy over at Reflections...will you be taking a vacation or a staycation this summer? If so where will you go? If a staycation is on the calendar have you made any special plans to fill the time? I know many people plan a vacation week each year.....we've rarely had an entire week's vacation but usually just take long weekends.....we're planning a trip to visit our son and his family in Georgia which will only be 4 days.......the girls and I have our annual 'camping trip' coming up for 1 night.....Honey Bear and I normally do a 'getaway' trip Spring and Fall for a few nights. He has rarely taken an entire week off at one time but prefers to take his vacations days, a few at a time.

8. Insert your own random thought here. "Summertime and the living is easy"..whoever wrote that didn't have a garden or live in the South.

Joyce just keeps coming up with interesting questions and topics for our Wednesday blog. Here's the link.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Outside my window...84 °F, (29 °C), the humidity is only 46% so not too hot...it is very dry, the sun is shinning and there is a soft breeze blowing....both the seed and nectar feeders need filling...I am blessed to see the Mandevilla bush blooming again..

I am thinking...this is my week for cleaning bathrooms, dusting and vacuuming the master bedroom and changing the linen but all I want to do is sew......

I am thankful...that it has been pleasant, for the most part, when we have our happy hour out by the pond...........that I finally took the plunge and began to quilt the large "My Elm Creek Sampler" quilt, so far it is looking good........for Honey Bear's work schedule so that he is home until around 9:00 each morning and back home before 3:00 in the afternoon.......that I seem to wake up ready to get out of bed early in the morning for the first time in many, many years (who knew it was the medication)....

In the kitchen...Zucchini to grate and freeze, squash that needs to be cooked...Honey Bear wants to have BLTs for dinner, we have some pink tomatoes and can't seem to wait for them to turn red before we eat them.....

I am creating...skirts for the tables in the studio......binding for quilts the club is using for a fund raiser and a speaker gift at state conference......quilt stitches.......pieces to embroider for the My Favorite Things quilt top.........

I am going...to stay home and sew today

I am wondering...about my neighbor who has plans to move to DC with her son...I've been to visit a couple of times and not caught her at home.....

I am reading...Explosive Eighteen (for book club and not enjoying it much) and A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, written in 1911...on the PC

I am hoping...to get much done on the quilt today (I can only sit and sew on it for short periods before my back hurts and I have to take a break) and do the tracing for the embroidery on at least 3 of the blocks mentioned above...

I am looking forward to...the first BLT of the season from home grown tomatoes

I am learning...much about the author of the book I'm reading.........about my secondary sewing machine (recently purchased third-hand).....

Around the house...things are mostly tidy..I'm changing bed linen today....fans are running......Smokey is sleeping

I am pondering...how time is slipping away

A favorite quote for today...Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights. —James 1:17

One of my favorite things...the sound of wind chimes (I know I've said that before)A few plans for the rest of the week: hair appointment in the morning then lunch with Rene........Thursday evening: SS social at Mandarin

From my picture file............

I know it doesn't look like much but this is the nest of Carolina Wrens, located in the corner under our canopy which we have over the pond....we watched the pair build it and our Happy Hour is cut short most afternoons when she starts fussing at us to move away, usually when she returns after a foraging run for insects.

Monday, June 18, 2012

I'm not sure I have a favorite but these come to mind: That's a big 10-4........and Make My Day.....

2. If you had to choose a novel for a book club to read and discuss, which one would you pick?

Green Darkness by Anya Seton I haven't read this one in years but have read it numerous times in the past.

From Amazon: This unforgettable story of undying love combines mysticism, suspense, mystery, and romance into a web of good and evil that stretches from 16th-century England to the present day. Richard Marsdon marries a young American woman named Celia, brings her to live at his English estate, and all seems to be going well. But now Richard has become withdrawn, and Celia is constantly haunted by a vague dread. When she suffers a breakdown and wavers between life and death, a wise doctor realizes that only by forcing Celia to relive her past can he enable her to escape her illness. Celia travels back 400 years in time to her past life as a beautiful but doomed servant. Through her eyes, we see the England of the Tudors, torn by religious strife, and experience all the pageantry, lustiness, and cruelty of the age. As in other historical romance titles by this author, the past comes alive in this flamboyant classic novel.

I don't know why time travel fascinates me so. This book would open up all sorts of avenues of discussion. And now I've inspired myself to read this book again.

3. When was the last time you danced? What brought you to it?

I'm not sure if you're wanting me to recall the last time I danced with a partner or just started dancing because the music inspired it which happens often for a few minutes. I love to dance and Honey Bear and I have taken numerous lessons. The last time we danced together was Christmas 2009

4. Do you typically remember your dreams?

Only for the first few minutes after waking...

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Like a good neighbor...

In the way I sabotage any weight loss plan I start..seems like there's two warring faction like good and evil sparring off whenever I'm tempted to go off track...

2. Jacques Cousteau's birthday was Monday, June 11th...ever been scuba diving? Is that something you'd like to try? What's your favorite 'under the sea' creature?

Absolutely not since I can't swim.....I love seafood....but I guess if I had to name a creature I'm really fond of: Loggerhead Turtles and Seals.

3. On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you in and around the water? (1=not at all, 10=very) Do you know how to swim and if so how and when did you learn?

Okay, see my answer to #1....I like to wade and that is about it...at the pool, I'll get in to cool off and might even float with a "noodle" but I can't say I'm comfortable in the ocean.

4. What's something you do to motivate yourself to tick an item off your to-do list?

Think about how it feels to have it finished, if I have to be gone most of the day, then finishing before I start out isn't so hard because I know when I come home I'll be happy I did it before because I won't want to do it then.....when it comes to stocking the pantry every 6 weeks, a job I hate, I know I'll be happy its done.

5. What makes a good neighbor? Are you a good neighbor?

No, I'm here if they need me but I'm not a visitor. I used to be when Neighborhoods weren't as transitional. We did recently invite the couple next door for wine by the pond...When I lived in PA and Honey Bear was gone 3 days out of 7, I had a single lady living next door and we spent much time together.

6. Who loads the dishwasher at your house? Is there a right way and a wrong way?

Mostly me but Honey Bear will sometimes.....I have a right way which is more organized and efficient but would never complain if he didn't do it my way....I'll take all the help I can get.

7. You know it's summer when____tomatoes are ripe_____also when the humidity is higher than the temperature outside__.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Zucchini Quiche and Melon are on the menu for tonight with Strawberry shortcake for dessert...wonderful Summertime foods.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Outside my window...69 °F, (21 °C), now that looks like it would be very pleasant, doesn't it? Humidity: 90%, so it is already hot and is going to be hotter, into the 90s today...its cloudy and we're still getting pop up showers.....Honey Bear is outside gathering vegetables, we've had a bumper crop of Zucchini and lots of cucumbers...the strawberries are starting to produce more than a hand full...I am thinking...the Hummingbird feeder supply keeps diminishing but I haven't seen any Hummers....there were sightings last month, though.....Honey Bear just filled the thistle sock again.

I am thankful...as always this time of year for AC.....for fresh veggies (we ate our first tomato Sunday night)....for family and friends

In the kitchen...a well stocked pantry as I bought my staples on Friday....I need to get in there and tidy, clean the counters, do something with the vegetables and clean the floor....I've got a quilt to sandwich and the kitchen floor seems like the place to do it, but it'll need to be clean and the table moved out of the way....coffee is still hot and until I empty the pot, I'll most likely be doing computer work or reading.

I am wearing...a pink tank and pajama bottoms

I am creating...finished these two blocks for the "My Favorite Things" quilt

I am going...nowhere until tomorrow morning

I am wondering...if I should finish the borders on Grandma Robinson's quilt top before I quilt it.....what do you think? Should I add new material to a top which has been stored for 50 years or just quilt it as is?

I am reading..."The Hollow" I finally finished Cutting for Stone....It was a very long book which could have been 3 books since it covered several generations...

I am hoping...that once these rainy days are over, we'll go back to the low humidity of last week.....I really don't like being hot...

I am looking forward to...a couple of road trips next month

I am learning...about personality tests......I took one and found out I'm classified as type 2

Around the house...I'm behind on my cleaning again

I am pondering...the dances we do in order to live in harmony with each other....

A favorite quote for today.."No bird soars too high ifhe soars with his ownwings." ) William Blake

One of my favorite things...listening to bird song and identifying the bird

A few plans for the rest of the week: Dental cleaning tomorrow, then time to spend with the Princess.....club meeting on Thursday night.....productive time spent in the studio.....

From my picture file.....

The prompts for our daybooks are created and provided by Peggy at The Simple Woman. Each Month, she creates a linky page for us to use which gives the link for participants...If you're interested in joining us, pay a visit here.

Monday, June 11, 2012

1. Finish this sentence - I had a great....visit with family Saturday evening when we all met at a Catfish restaurant...all of my Mama's siblings who are still living were there along with cousins and my sister.....

3. What is your weather like today? Right now, its 79 and cloudy....we had a shower early this morning and the humidity is 82%..Yuck!

4.What is your favorite workout song? Work out? I don't walk to music...I like to think as I enjoy nature....occasionally, I'll play music when I clean but most of the time, the quiet is preferable to me.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Here Comes the Wed. Hodgepodge-Vol 80

1. How many students were in your high school graduating class? Did you know most, if not all of them?

66 and yes I knew them all. Some of them had been in school with me since I began at that school in 4th grade.

2. What was the last thing you photographed?

3. Pickles-love 'em or loathe 'em? If its love what's something you eat that needs a pickle?

I love Dill pickles and those little Sweet Gherkins

4. What's a stereotype you seem to perpetuate without meaning to?

Can't think of an answer to this one unless its the one about "Southern Hospitality"

5. Ever been horse back riding? If so is it something you enjoy? If not, do you have any interest? Did you watch the Kentucky Derby? Will you be watching the last leg of the Triple Crown this weekend? Yes we used to have horses and had 4 born on our farm....I don't like to ride and only did it three times. We always try to watch all three of the Triple Crown races. We missed the second one because we forgot. And Saturday, we won't be home so we'll miss that one also.

6. What's your favorite 'wedding' movie?

Father of the Bride

7. What is one 'tourist attraction' in the USA that you'd like to see in person?

Not sure there is one. We tend to enjoy nature more than the usual tourist spots. I'd like to do an Alaskan Cruise to see Glaciers and those Mississippi River Cruises look interesting. I'd like to visit Oregon and also I'd like to tour the New England States.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I've had a busy week and not much time for blogging. Yesterday, I spent the morning doing something with our Zucchini crop. I baked bread and put several packs of grated Zucchini in the freezer.

About Me

Hello and welcome to my place where I journal about the past and the present.
I am a child of the King. That makes me a princess.
I have been married to my Honey Bear for almost 50 years now. I am the mother of 2 children, the grandmother of 5 and great grandmother to Matthew, born March of 2016.
My hobbies are reading, scrap-booking, jewelry making, quilting, cross stitch and crochet. I love nature: feeding the birds, long walks with my man, and of course, taking pictures.
I collect Bears, Circle of Friends, and Willow Tree. Smokey is my 11 year old cat. I sometimes call him Smokey Bear. Blogging has brought me so much joy.
I love the color red, enjoy a good cup of tea or a latte.

Some Favorite Bible Verses

Isaiah 41:31

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:6,7

Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

I took the Pledge

2015 SAL

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Wil

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Smokey Bear

It doesn't matter how tall I am, How beautiful, or smart. What counts is what God sees in me, Deep down inside my heart.